Keira Knightley’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

Keira Knightley has starred in a huge variety of different films, from traditional romances to fantasy adventures, but she’s always provided interesting performances wherever she goes. The actress made her acting debut at the age of nine in A Village Affair, before landing her first mainstream role in Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace. This was the character that finally allowed her to break into the mainstream, and ever since then, Keira Knightley has made several great movies that cemented her as a generational talent.

✕ Remove Ads

Although Kiera Knightley is best known for her period pieces, the actress has made a real effort in recent years to break free of this stereotype and try some new styles that have resulted in some very surprising projects. She’s drifted away from the studio blockbuster style of filmmaking that made her famous, turning her attention instead to more independent, creative films and series that really test her abilities as an actress. These have varied across multiple genres and really helped prove that she’s more than a romantic leading lady.

10 Love Actually (2003)

Directed By Richard Curtis

Love Actually Movie Poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

7.8/10 Love Actually RComedyDramaHolidayRomance

The 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season. With a star-studded cast composed of Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, and Martine McCutcheon, Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple for rom-com lovers.

Release Date November 14, 2003 Runtime 135 minutes Cast Colin Firth , Emma Thompson , Liam Neeson , Keira Knightley , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Laura Linney , Alan Rickman , Hugh Grant , Bill Nighy , Andrew Lincoln Director Richard Curtis Writers Richard Curtis Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand

✕ Remove Ads

Love Actually is often viewed as one of the greatest Christmas films ever made, and while it certainly has some flaws that are overlooked because of its nostalgic story, it’s still a great little rom-com that features one of Kiera Knightley’s most formative roles. In the movie, she plays the character of Juliet, a newlywed bride who catches the romantic attention of her husband’s best friend. It’s a very simple character on the surface, but Knightley brings just the right amount of charm and humanity to make this flawed figure much more likable.

Keira Knightley looking weirded out in the cue cards scene from Love Actually Related Love Actually’s Iconic Scene Has Always Been Creepy To Keira Knightley: “Seems Like A Few Years Ago That Everybody Else Realized”

Love Actually star Keira Knightley admits she’s always found the iconic cue card scene a bit creepy and points out a key detail about her age.

Posts10

As a whole, Love Actually is filled with charismatic writing and brilliant performances that make it an undeniable Christmas classic. The film is loved by both critics and audiences alike, benefiting from its holiday setting and getting rewatched time and time again during the festive season. The only thing holding Love Actually back from being one of Knightley’s very-best projects is the lack of complexity to her character, and some aspects of the narrative that haven’t aged particularly well.

✕ Remove Ads

9 Never Let Me Go (2010)

Directed By Mark Romanek

Never Let Me Go

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Never Let Me Go RDramaRomanceSci-Fi Release Date October 15, 2010 Runtime 103 minutes Main Genre Drama Cast Carey Mulligan , Keira Knightley , Sally Hawkins , Andrew Garfield , Charlotte Rampling , Domhnall Gleeson Director Mark Romanek Writers Alex Garland , Kazuo Ishiguro Expand

Never Let Me Go is based on Kazuo Ishiguru’s novel of the same name, and centers around a group of young teenagers who become friends at boarding school but soon learn that certain aspects of the world have been kept secret from them. It’s a fascinating, cerebral story that speaks thoughtfully on issues such as loneliness, identity, and the human need for companionship.

Knightley delivers one of her strongest performances in
Never Let Me Go
, and her character is undeniably one of the most interesting and multi-faceted that she’s ever played.

✕ Remove Ads

Knightley delivers one of her strongest performances in Never Let Me Go, and her character is undeniably one of the most interesting and multi-faceted that she’s ever played. Alex Garland’s philosophical screenplay gives the story such an emotional weight that’s navigated expertly by these characters, making it a real hidden gem of Knightley’s catalog.

8 Anna Karenina (2012)

Directed By Joe Wright

anna karenina psoter

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Anna Karenina pgDramaRomance

Keira Knightley stars as Anna Karenina in the 2012 movie adaptation of the 1877 novel by Leo Tolstoy. Directed by Joe Wright, the period film follows a tragic love affair between the title character and cavalry officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Jude Law appears as Karenin, Anna’s distant husband.

Release Date October 6, 2012 Runtime 130minutes Cast Keira Knightley , Jude Law , Aaron Taylor-Johnson Director Joe Wright Writers Joe Wright Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , Focus Features Expand

Keira Knightley’s several collaborations with Joe Wright easily constitute some of the actress’ most interesting projects, and while Anna Karenina certainly isn’t their best, it’s arguably their most overlooked. The film is a retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s book of the same name, which centers around a forbidden romance in the royal court of the Russian Empire.

✕ Remove Ads

What’s so impactful about Anna Karenina is its ability to remain so loyal and truthful to the source material while giving the story some necessary changes to make it work with modern audiences. It’s a story that’s doused from head to toe in rich history and culture, but it’s the very simple romance between the two protagonists that’s constantly held at the center of the narrative. This makes it a very emotional watch, and Knightley’s lead performance helps suck the audience in right away.

7 Black Doves (2024)

Created By Joe Barton

Black Doves poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite TV ShowsMy Watchlist

Success!

22 8.2/10 Black Doves DramaThriller

Black Doves is a drama series that centers on the complex interplay of espionage and personal relationships. Focused on Helen Webb, a seasoned spy striving to balance her covert missions with a turbulent family life, the series delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. Starring Keira Knightley, it examines the moral ambiguities faced by those who live double lives in service to their countries.

Release Date December 5, 2024 Cast Keira Knightley , sarah lancashire , Ben Whishaw , Andrew Koji , Andrew Buchan , Omari Douglas , Kathryn Hunter , Sam Troughton , Ella Lily Hyland Creator(s) Joe Barton Producers Jane Featherstone , Chris Fry , Joe Barton Seasons 1

Knightley is best known for her roles in film, but in recent years, she’s made several attempts to transition to television as well. Black Doves is a great example of this. The six-part espionage thriller follows the story of a spy-for-hire who learns that her identity may have been exposed after her lover’s death at the hands of a London crime organization, leading her on a dangerous quest to protect herself and retrieve old secrets.

✕ Remove Ads

Ben Whishaw as Sam Young in Black Doves Related Black Doves Season 1 Ending: Major Character’s Death & Sam’s Ultimate Decision Explained By Creator

Black Doves creator Joe Barton discusses season 1 ending with a major character death while explaining Sam’s ultimate decision in the final episode.

Posts

Black Doves received excellent reviews when the first season was released on Netflix, leading to an immediate confirmation that a second season is on the way. The show is gripping, dark, and exciting in all the ways you’d expect from an espionage thriller, but what’s truly special about the project is the rich character work and dynamic relationships that let these interesting figures really take center stage.

6 Begin Again (2013)

Directed By John Carney

0146301_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Begin Again RDramaComedyDocumentaryMusicalRomance

Begin Again is a musical drama centered on Gretta, a rising songwriter who is left on her own after her boyfriend, Dave, abandons her. Her story transforms when Dan, a record label executive, discovers her innate musical talent, setting the stage for a creative partnership.

Release Date September 7, 2013 Runtime 104 minutes Main Genre Drama Cast James Corden , Keira Knightley , Mark Ruffalo , Hailee Steinfeld , Yasiin Bey , Karen Pittman Director John Carney Writers John Carney Expand

✕ Remove Ads

Begin Again is one of the very few musicals under Knightley’s belt, and it’s surprising that she hasn’t made more of an effort to return to the genre. The film centers around a young songwriter named Greta whose heartbreak following a nasty breakup is resolved when a local record agent notices her and promises to make all her career dreams come true.

The film is much more than a typical romance and/or musical, but rather a singular project that combines elements of both genres to create something truly unique.

The film is much more than a typical romance and/or musical, but rather a singular project that combines elements of both genres to create something truly unique. The chemistry between Knightley and Mark Ruffalo is what really sells this project, ditching an intricate plot for a much more atmospheric tableau of ambition and romance.

5 Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Directed By Gore Verkinski

Pirates of the Caribbean Deadman's Chest Poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the second installment in the swashbuckling franchise directed by Gore Verbinski. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow, who must settle a blood debt with the legendary Davy Jones, portrayed by Bill Nighy. As Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) are drawn into Jack’s perilous quest, they face new dangers on the high seas and encounter the fearsome Kraken.

Release Date July 6, 2006 Runtime 151 Minutes Main Genre Action Cast Johnny Depp , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport , Bill Nighy , Jonathan Pryce Director Gore Verbinski Writers Ted Elliott , Terry Rossio , Stuart Beattie , Jay Wolpert Expand
✕ Remove Ads

Dead Man’s Chest is the second installment in Gore Verbinski’s hugely popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The story takes place shortly after the first film, following the infamous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and his new friends as they set out in search of the heart of the legendary Captain Davy Jones, which he believes can free him from his ongoing debt. However, the crew soon devise their own intentions for the treasure and begin to turn against each other.

Although it’s the best of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels, Dead Man’s Chest still has some problems that would later become fatal for the future of the franchise: it’s overlong, it’s messy, and the story isn’t as succinct as the first. However, the movie has actually aged surprisingly well with the benefit of time and nostalgia – it’s a very ambitious project, and it’s the kind of overly adventurous movie that doesn’t really get made today. This makes it a unique entry in Knightley’s catalog, and one of the most fun to rewatch.

✕ Remove Ads

4 The Imitation Game (2014)

Directed By Morten Tyldum

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

9.5/10 The Imitation Game PG-13DramaBiographyThriller

The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the real-life British mathematician and computer scientist who was instrumental in decoding the German spy code machine Enigma during WWII. The film focuses on Turing’s work during the war and his personal life during that time, as well as the tragic story of his life after the war and his death in 1954. Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, and Mark Strong also star. 

Release Date November 28, 2014 Runtime 114minutes Cast Mark Strong , Matthew Goode , Keira Knightley , Benedict Cumberbatch Director Morten Tyldum Writers Graham Moore Studio(s) The Weinstein Company Distributor(s) The Weinstein Company Expand

The Imitation Game is a historical biopic that focuses on the life and work of Alan Turing, the British scientist responsible for cracking the Nazis’ enigma code during the Second World War. The film details his efforts to help the British cause despite his inability to fight in the military, building a machine with the help of his fellow mathematicians that would eventually turn the tide of the war from the shadows.

While it’s Benedict Cumberbatch’s lead performance that’s often remembered when discussing The Imitation Game, Knightley’s turn as Joan Clarke also deserves immense praise. The film may be long and overly formulaic in parts, but it works best as a display of these two actors’ astounding ability to embody these historical figures and richly explore the role they played in the war.

✕ Remove Ads

3 Pride And Prejudice (2005)

Directed By Joe Wright

Pride and Prejudice Movie Poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Pride and Prejudice PG Release Date November 23, 2005 Main Genre Romance Cast Keira Knightley , Matthew Macfadyen , Brenda Blethyn , Donald Sutherland , Rosamund Pike , Jena Malone , Simon Woods , Rupert Friend Director Joe Wright

Pride and Prejudice is another prime example of Knightley’s compatibility with filmmaker Joe Wright, and one of the best period piece movies ever made. It’s a faithful and thematic adaptation of Jane Austen’s iconic novel, detailing the romance between protagonist Elizabeth Bennett and her unlikely suitor Mr. Darcy as she discovers her own place in a world that seems poised against her.

Keira Knightley became the third-youngest Best Actress nominee at the Academy Awards for her nomination for
Pride and Prejudice
.

✕ Remove Ads

The difference between Pride and Prejudice and the countless other period pieces that came before it is this film’s unwavering romanticism; every frame of this project is directed with such care and intention, giving all scenes a warm, nostalgic haze to them. It’s one of Keira Knightley’s most beloved films by both critics and audiences alike, with 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and four Academy Award nominations to its name.

2 Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)

Directed By Gore Verbinski

Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl Poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

8.3/10 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy

The Curse of the Black Pearl is the film that kickstarted the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a series of supernatural swashbuckling adventures. In 1720, blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.

Release Date July 9, 2003 Runtime 143 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Cast Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport , Jonathan Pryce Director Gore Verbinski Writers Ted Elliott , Terry Rossio , Stuart Beattie , Jay Wolpert Studio(s) Jerry Bruckheimer Films , Disney Distributor(s) Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Expand

Pirates of the Caribbean’s Elisabeth Swann is likely the role that Keira Knightley will always be remembered for, and that’s certainly not a bad thing. The Curse of the Black Pearl is a near-perfect adventure movie that capitalizes on the genre’s tropes in a way that feels both familiar and new, taking audiences on a swashbuckling adventure that ushered in a whole new era of blockbuster filmmaking in the early 2000s.

✕ Remove Ads

What makes the original Pirates of the Caribbean movie so excellent is its dedication to style and atmosphere, crafting a fictional universe that feels so real thanks to all the captivating performances and detailed world-building. Knightley’s character is just one aspect of this, as Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom also stand out among the extensive cast as Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.

1 Atonement (2007)

Directed By Joe Wright

atonement poster

Your Rating

close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist

Success!

Atonement tv-maWarRomance

Atonement is a romance and war drama released in 2007 by director Joe Wright. The film stars Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, and Romola Garai. The film takes place in 1930s England, spanning multiple years afterward as a man is wrongfully incarcerated and then must face a war, all while wanting to get back to the girl he loves.

Release Date September 7, 2007 Runtime 123 Minutes Cast James McAvoy , Keira Knightley , Saoirse Ronan , Romola Garai , Vanessa Redgrave , Brenda Blethyn , Juno Temple , Benedict Cumberbatch Director Joe Wright Writers Ian McEwan , Christopher Hampton Studio(s) StudioCanal Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , Focus Features , StudioCanal Expand

Although Atonement is mostly remembered for its emotional ending, the entire film is a masterclass in how to create a compelling on-screen romance between two characters while letting the details of the narrative play out effortlessly in the background. The film centers around two lovers, played by James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, whose lives are destroyed when the latter’s jealous sister lies about their relationship.

✕ Remove Ads

Atonement is anything but a typical romance – there’s so much complexity and ambiguity to this story that makes it fascinating to watch, as nothing is ever quite what it seems with these characters. The only thing that’s assured is their love for each other, and that gives their dynamic an absorbing element that’s very rarely captured on film.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Headshot Of Keira Knightley Keira Knightley Birthdate March 26, 1985 Birthplace London, England, United Kingdom Notable Projects The Imitation Game , Pride & Prejudice (2005) , Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Leave a Comment